When cultists struck at ABSU

Two students of Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu were beheaded in a cult clash on Uturu-Afikpo Road, an off-campus neighbourhood. UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE reports.

Chukwuebuka Nwaigbo, a 300-Level Estate Management student of Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu would have marked his birthday penultimate Sunday. He never had the chance to witness the day. He was killed on the eve of his birthday by cultists, who also severed his head.

His friend, Samuel Ethelbert, a 300-Level Political Science student, was also killed. His head was also cut off in an evening attack that occurred at Chidoo Lodge on Uturu-Afikpo Road, an off-campus hostel. The third victim, Thankgod Umeaforo, a 300-Level Political Science student, sustained deep machete cut and he is said to be in critical condition in hospital.

The hostel is about four kilometres from the campus. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that a group of cultists stormed the hostel at 11pm and went to the victims’ room.

A student, who did not give his name, said: “When the assailants came into the lodge, they looked for someone to knock on the door of their victims. We heard the victims pleading for mercy, but their plea fell on deaf ears.”

After killing the duo, the cultists severed their heads. The heads were dumped in front of Pego One Lodge, another hostel.

It was gathered that the murder was a reprisal by Atabo confraternity whose leader, Collins Kalu (aka Biggy), a final year student of Microbiology, was killed in a shootout by the rival Mafite confraternity in February. The late Samuel and the late Chukwuebuka allegedly belonged to Mafite group.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Uche Ikonne, visited the hostel urging students to be security conscious and shun cultism. He told them to report suspicious movements within the neighbourhood, saying security agencies were on the killers trail. He advised the students to move to the university hostels, instead of living off-campus, saying their security would be guaranteed in the school.

The incident paralysed activities on campus. Examinations, which were to begin two days after the incident, were postponed. It could not be confirmed if the postponement was connected to the murder. None of the staff was ready to comment.

The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Onyeke Udeviotu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the Commissioner of Police had directed the homicide section of the Crime Investigation Department to take up the matter.

Udeviotu said the attack was suspected to be a reprisal from a rival cult group, pledging that the police would arrest the perpetrators.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu condemned the murder, describing it as a “brazen show of savagery”. The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu said students should not engage in criminal acts that could thwart their academic pursuit and taint their character.

He said: “Governor Ikpeazu warned that such dastardly acts being perpetrated by students in the name of cultism will no longer be condoned in any of the state-owned higher institutions. Cultism is an illegal practice, which has been outlawed in the state and country.”

The governor warned criminal-minded youths to stay away from higher institutions in the state, while advising parents and guardians to educate their children on the danger of joining dangerous groups and engaging in violent acts.